Senior Vice President of External Relations - Full Time

The Indianapolis Zoo is seeking an experienced and passionate individual to lead our External Relations Departments. This individual will be responsible for guaranteeing that all strategies and programs are forward thinking and align with the Zoo’s mission and core values.

• The Senior Vice President of External Relations role is a member of the Indianapolis Zoo’s executive team and Executive Cabinet.
• This role will manage, plan and coordinate fundraising, marketing, creative services, brand execution, public relations, membership engagement and the Indianapolis Prize. In coordination with the President & CEO, the Senior Vice President of External Relations actively cultivates and solicits donor gifts.
• The successful candidate will possess strong credentials in the areas of fundraising, donor relations, and experience obtaining grant and/or foundation funding.
• This role will require constant collaboration with other departments as well as entrepreneurial skills and abilities.
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, preferably in a related field (Business Administration, Communications, Philanthropy, Public Relations, etc.) is required. A graduate degree in a related field is strongly preferred.
• To be effective in this role, at least ten (10) years of progressive experience in a similar executive role is required with at least four (4) years working in a not-for-profit organization.
• This is a full-time, salaried position that will require evening and weekend hours during events and peak season workloads. The Senior Vice President of External Relations is responsible for directly supervising six (6) direct reports including the Director of Membership & Engagement, Director of Public Relations, Director of Marketing, Director of Institutional Advancement, Director of the Indianapolis Prize, and the Director of Creative Services. This role reports directly to the President and CEO.

Responsibilities and qualifications of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive experience in a similar executive role.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of demonstrated experience managing, leading and motivating high-level personnel.
• Minimum of four (4) years working in a not-for-profit organization.
• Demonstrated fundraising expertise.
• Requires a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a related field (Business, Marketing, Communications, Philanthropy, Public Relations, etc.) A graduate degree in a related field is strongly preferred.
• Leads and directs multiple departments including Membership & Engagement, Public Relations, Marketing & Sales, Institutional Advancement, and Creative Services.
• Reviews and oversees departmental operating budgets and produces progress reports on goals and performance.
• Serves as a member of the President & CEO’s Executive Cabinet.
• Attends all board meetings and presents departmental reports as requested by the President & CEO.
• Oversees all external relations departments’ budgets and business plans.
• Participates in the execution of special events such as Zoobilation, the Indianapolis Prize, Wine Auction, and the Nussbaum Dinner.
• Oversees the divisions’ annual business plan and budgeting process.
• Demonstrates a continued interest in and knowledge of advancements in external relations, donor relations, the AZA community, etc.
• Ability to detect, assess, identify, and observe surroundings to make sound judgments, along with the ability to communicate verbally, comprehend and decipher information accurately, using a telephone and two-way radio.

To apply:

• Interested candidates must include a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to be considered.
• Please note, the Zoo reserves the right to remove this job posting at any time, even prior to the application deadline stated above.
• Please note, this is an executive level position, college transcripts will be required if selected.

Experience Required

• 10+ years in a similar executive role.

Perks

• Work for the wildest employer in Indianapolis! Some perks include:
• Medical (Health Savings Account with employer contribution included), Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability paid through the Zoo for eligible employees; 403(b) Retirement Plan, generous Paid Time Off (PTO), Immediate Paid Holidays, complimentary Zoo Membership, Reciprocal Benefits to other local institutions, and many, many more!!!

Salary

• Negotiable